Non-inflammable cellulose compound.



WILLIAM GODSON LINDSAY, OF CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE CELLULOID COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

NON-INFLAMMABLE CELLULOSE COMPOUND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

, No Drawing. Original application filed May 5, 1909, Serial No. 494,178. Divided and this application filed September 10, 1912.

such as celluloid and similar substances, and

also to the process of making the same.

More particularly, this invention relates to producing a cellulose ester, preferably an acetyl cellulose, combined with substances for effecting non-inflammability and permanency of strength and tenacity.

The present application is a division of my application No. 494,17 8, filed May 5, 1909.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to substitute acetyl cellulose for nitro-cellulose in the manufacture of compounds of which celluloid is a prominent example. But so far as I am no aware, such compounds have been unsuccessful, principally for the reason that the compounds were not sufiiciently strong and not sufliciently tenacious, whether obtained by evaporation from a solution or by manipulating a plastic mass, nor have they been non-inflammable.

In carrying out my invention, 1 select an acetyl cellulose which is soluble in acetone; however, I may use an other variety of acetyl cellulose in comblnat on or in solution or mixture, or other sultable substance which is soluble in a menstruum that dissolves triphenylphosphate. A solution s made of such acetyl cellulose or similar bas c ingredients in acetone and to this solution is added triphenylphosphate, either in solid form or previously dissolved in acetone or other similar solvent. The amount of lJIlphenylphosphate or equlvalent substance may be varied in proportions from ten to twenty parts by weight to each one hundred parts of the acetyl cellulose, and the acetone or other suitable solvent is added in sufli- Serial No. 719,543.

cient quantity to make either a flowable soare to a large extent equivalents of triphenylphosphate, such as diph enylamin, &c.

As indicated above, the solvent or menstruum may be formed of one or more substances in addition to, or in substitution of, acetone; in fact, any one or more of the solvents or menstrua of an acetyl cellulose, or similar cellulose composition, may be employed, provided the solvent is also a solvent of the triphenylphosphate or other substance used in place thereof. Numerous instances of such solvent or menstruum of one or more ingredients might be cited; it may be stated that chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetylene'tetrachlorid, alcohol and like substances, generally alone, or two or more taken together, are capable of dissolving or forming a menstruum for the acetyl cellulose, or like substances, in the presence of triphenylphosphate, or similar ingredient or ingredients. A further advantage in employing these solvent or menstrua substances in the case of some of the heavy solvents arises from their property of restraining or modifying the volatility of the mixture and thus increasing the tensile strength and elasticity of the resultant product; acetylene tetrachlorid, when used alone, or with chloroform, alcohol, ethylacetate, or the like, in varying proportions is especially useful in this connection.

By the addition of about 1%% of urea, still greater permanency and tenacity will be imparted to my compound. The proportion of tained satisfactory results with a proportion of urea as low as one part to one hundred parts of the cellulose compound.

For certain purposes, it is advantageous to make a thorough mechanical mixture containing the acetyl cellulose and triphenylphosphate, or equivalent substances, and subsequently add the solvent or liquid menstruum.

The product made in accordance with my invention can be made in the form of films or thin sheets. Any approved method of forming films or thin sheets from a flowable solution may be employed. It Will be understood, also, that the flowable solution formed as above described may be applied as a protecting surface, such a coating possessing also the property of being Waterproof. The final product may also be made in the form of a mass of any desired thickness.

It will be obvious that suitable pigments or coloring matter may be added to the above mixture or solution to produce a final product for use in imitating other substances, such as amber, ivory, horn, marble, or the li (e.

Where I employ the expression cellulose soluble in acetone in the claims, it is to be understood that I mean such variety of acetyl cellulose which is freely soluble in acetone, and that this variety of acetyl. cellulose is substantially completely soluble in acetone.

acetyl Having thus described my invention, I de clare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: p

1. A product containing a cellulose ester and diphenylamin obtained by dissolving the same in a solvent common to both, and then permitting the solution to dry and harden by evaporation.

2. A product containing an acetyl cellulose and diphenylamin obtained by dissolving the same in a solvent common to both, and then permittingthe solution to dry and harden by evaporation.

3. A productcontaining an acetyl cellulose soluble in acetone and diphenylamin obtained by dissolving the same in a solvent common to both, and then permitting the solution to dry and harden by evaporation.

4. A product containing a cellulose ester and diphenylamin obtained by dissolving the same in acetone, and then permitting the solution to dry and harden by evaporation.

5. A product containing an acetyl cellulose and diphenylami-n obtained by dissolving the same in acetone, and then permitting the solution to dry and harden by evaporation.

In testimony whereof-I aifix mylsignature, in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM GODSON LINDSAY.

Witnesses:

H. C. EGAN, G120. N. KERR. 

